Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point vs. Castaway Cay: Which Disney Island Is Right for You?

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Disney Cruise Line offers two private island destinations in the Bahamas: Castaway Cay, a classic favorite since 1998, and the newer Lighthouse Point, which opened in 2024. Each island has its own unique character, strengths, and drawbacks, and while they share some similarities, they deliver very different experiences.

I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Castaway Cay many times over the years, and it’s become a place I know very well.

I’ve also had the chance to visit Lighthouse Point a number of times. On two recent cruises, I even got to experience both islands back-to-back, just days apart, which gave me a unique perspective to directly compare them side by side.

Each island has its own personality and appeal.

And both are great places to spend the day.

Castaway Cay has decades of Disney’s refinement behind it, and it truly feels like a polished extension of the Disney Cruise experience. Lighthouse Point, on the other hand, offers something new—a more natural and less “Disneyfied” vibe.

In this article, I’ll break down the key differences between these two islands and share my honest thoughts to help you decide which might be the best fit for your next Disney cruise.

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1. The Islands: A Tale of Two Destinations

Castaway Cay:

Castaway Cay feels like a world of its own. Disney has had complete control over the island since 1998, and it shows.

Everything is purposefully designed to make your day simple, magical, and completely within the Disney bubble.

From the moment you step off the ship, it’s clear that this isn’t just another beach stop—it’s a fully realized destination.

Castaway Cay has been established for many years and has had the chance to develop over time – this is in contrast to Lighthouse Point which is very new.

Because Disney leases the entire island, it’s theirs to shape.

The result is a well-oiled machine where everything feels polished and cohesive. You’re surrounded by Disney magic everywhere you go, and there’s no sense of the outside world intruding. So you feel completely immersed in the experience.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Castaway Cay

Lighthouse Point:

Lighthouse Point is undeniably beautiful. The sand and the astonishingly blue ocean are stunning.

But it feels very different from Castaway Cay.

For starters, it’s not a standalone island—it’s part of Eleuthera, a much larger and populated island. While this gives it a more natural, authentic feel, it also makes it feel less like a private Disney retreat.

Disney added a touch of their magic to an already existing place, rather than creating something entirely unique. I wouldn’t call it disappointing, but it didn’t have the same sense of wonder or perfection that Castaway Cay does.

While Disney has developed its area, it’s clear that this isn’t a fully dedicated Disney space. That’s not necessarily a bad thing—Lighthouse Point is beautiful—but it does feel less of a “Disney” destination.

If you’re looking for a more “Disneyfied” experience, you might find Lighthouse Point lacking, although to some of course this may be an advantage.

2. The Walk from the Ship: Easy vs. Challenging

Castaway Cay:

Castaway Cay is effortless. The dock is close to everything, and there’s a tram waiting to whisk you away to the beaches or Serenity Bay.

I love how easy it is to step off the ship and get straight into vacation mode and onto the beach.

The dock is conveniently located near the island’s main attractions, and the tram system is frequent and reliable. You can get to the family beach or Serenity Bay quickly and easily.

Lighthouse Point:

The walk at Lighthouse Point is… not great.

It’s about 0.6 miles from the ship to the main part of the island, and while the scenery is gorgeous, it’s also hot, tiring, and not what I want to deal with when I’m supposed to be relaxing.

It takes me around 12 to 14 minutes to walk, from the ships to the security check point, with some stops to take pictures and video.

Note that there is no shade at all on the walk.

If you’re dealing with young children, have mobility issues or are carrying a lot of stuff, it can feel like a real trek (although you can borrow strollers and wagons free of charge to get to the tram stop).

If you have mobility issues, you can arrange for golf buggy assistance at Guest Services.

Once you have made that walk, you then need to take a tram ride. There isn’t much to see on the tram ride as your view to the ocean is blocked.

Your journey from the ship to the beach is going to take around 25 to 30 minutes.

But overall, it’s a much less convenient setup than Castaway Cay.

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3. Beaches: Calm and Sheltered vs. Open and Scenic

Castaway Cay:

The beaches at Castaway Cay are exactly what I want from a private island.

The water is calm, thanks to the breakwater, which makes it perfect for floating or swimming without worrying about waves.

It’s a classic, family-friendly beach experience or you can always opt for the quieter over 18’s only beach at Serenity Bay.

The family beach is sheltered and calm, with plenty of chairs, umbrellas, and shade. It’s ideal if you just want to relax or if you’re traveling with kids or less confident swimmers.

The snorkel area is also a lot of fun – with a lot of Disney surprises to find in the water. As well as some non Disney fish!

Lighthouse Point:

Lighthouse Point’s beaches have softer, nicer sand than Castaway Cay, and the scenery is stunning.

But the water is open to the ocean, which means there are waves. I can see how some people might prefer this—it’s more “natural” and exciting—but I miss the calm, lagoon-like waters of Castaway Cay.

The beach is more open and exposed to the ocean, which brings waves and fewer sheltered spots.

Serenity Bay, the adult only beach, is an extension of the Family Beach – the only thing separating them is a line of cones. I really much prefer Serenity Bay on Castaway Cay which is a very distinct area, separate from the Family Beach.

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4. Theming and Atmosphere: Immersive Disney Magic vs. Understated Charm

Castaway Cay:

Castaway Cay feels like classic Disney.

It’s beautiful, polished, and full of little touches that remind you you’re in a Disney destination, from the themed signage to the characters you’ll spot on the island. It’s seamless and magical in a way that Lighthouse Point just isn’t.

The island’s theming is subtle but distinctly Disney, with nods to Mickey and friends throughout. It feels like a tropical paradise, but you are very aware that this is a Disney themed destination.

Lighthouse Point:

Lighthouse Point is beautiful, but it doesn’t feel as “Disney” as I expected.

The Bahamian-inspired art and design are lovely, but the overall vibe is more understated and less immersive.

The Sights and Sounds of Junkanoo Workshop at the Goombay Cultural Center is for me, really underwhelming. The Cultural Center is smaller and certainly less impressive than I expected it to be.

And I have to say that one of my experiences of the Cultural Center was seeing a very bored looking Cast Member with his AirPods in scrolling on his phone.

The theming leans into Bahamian culture, which I definitely did appreciate, but it just didn’t feel enough. The original concept promised way more of a celebration of the local culture and this just doesn’t seem to have happened.

Many things on Lighthouse Point felt like it wasn’t quite finished or didn’t have the budget to fully live up to what it could have been.

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5. Adults-Only Serenity Bay: Separate vs. Sectioned Off

Castaway Cay:

Serenity Bay at Castaway Cay is a true escape. It’s completely separate from the main beach, so it feels peaceful and secluded. I love spending time here—it’s a perfect retreat if you want to relax.

Serenity Bay is located on the far side of the island, accessible by tram. It’s quiet, tranquil, and feels like an entirely different part of the island.

There are plenty of loungers, chairs and umbrellas. It doesn’t feel crowded, particularly if you walk just a little bit further along the beach.

The one downside is that the water isn’t very deep here – and the tide goes out quite a distance by late morning/early afternoon depending upon the time of year you visit. If you want to spend a lot of time swimming or enjoying the water more than over your knees, you need to enjoy it earlier in the day!

Lighthouse Point:

Serenity Bay at Lighthouse Point was a letdown for me. It’s not a separate area—it’s just a section of the main beach marked off with cones.

It doesn’t have the same sense of privacy or exclusivity, which makes it feel like an afterthought rather than a true adults-only retreat.

The adults-only area is more integrated with the rest of the island, which might appeal to some but didn’t work for me.

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6. Activities and Things to Do

Castaway Cay:

Castaway Cay has so much to do, from snorkeling to bike and water craft rentals to the Pelican Plunge water slide. It’s easy to fill an entire day here, and I never feel bored or like I’ve run out of options.

Activities include snorkeling, biking, paddleboarding, kayaking, and a water slide. The snorkeling lagoon is particularly fun, with sunken treasures to explore.

Lighthouse Point:

Lighthouse Point doesn’t have as much to do. It’s a great place to relax, but if you’re looking for variety, you might find it lacking.

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Final Thoughts: Castaway Cay Wins for Me

While Lighthouse Point has its strengths—like the gorgeous sand and quieter, more natural beaches—Castaway Cay is still my favorite.

It’s polished, immersive, and feels like a true Disney destination. Lighthouse Point is beautiful, but it doesn’t feel as finished or as magical. If I had to choose, I’d pick Castaway Cay every time.

Although if you are looking for a more “authentic” beach experience with the chance to explore the natural features of the island, then Lighthouse Point is definitely the one for you.